Sunday, December 31, 2017

For the 2nd year in a row, I am sick on New Year's Eve! Ugh! I would rather have a cold now instead of in Disney, but this year I helped organize the 20s themed party and I have an awesome flapper dress to wear!
In any case, I am excited for what 2018 will bring!

Saturday, December 30, 2017

On New Year's Day i will be attempting my first run since my injury on December 8th. I did this race last year so at least I know what to expect and I have a game plan.
The Gnome Trail Run is a 5k or 18k on the Carolina Thread Trail that runs through North and South Carolina. This part of the Trail runs through Fort Mill and is part of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. It's trail and boardwalk from what I remember and it's hilly. I plan to run the flatter areas and walk the hills.
I will not be trying to PR the course, which was my original plan.
It will be super cold so I'll get to wear my new Skirt Sports beanie, which makes me happy!
Are you racing on New Year's Day?

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Okay, let's be honest here, it won't be much of an update. Since I cannot run, I have been super lazy. Shocked? Didn't think so!
I did try and mix in some cycling at the gym, but even that was half hearted.

There have also been some dog walks once my foot stopped hurting...

And some yoga...

Did you catch that one bit.... the bit where I said my foot stopped hurting? Oh my heck, what a joy! I am pretty much pain free, about 90% I would say. Every once in awhile, not even once a day, I will pivot too fast, or run down the stairs too fast, and it will sting a little. I'm so excited!

Monday morning I will carefully make my running debut at the Gnome Trail Run 5k. Look for my Flat Mama tomorrow, I will resemble Sasquatch I'm sure, since it will be in the 20s that morning!

I'm attempting to get a yoga streak going, but I always seem to go 2 days and then skip a day. Wish me luck!

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

I was really bummed to miss out on the Mount Dora Half Marathon because of my injury! I'm really hoping to run it in 2018!
Want to run it, too?
For the first 400 people to register, they're offering a special price of $39.99 for the half - More information is here:
https://www.facebook.com/mountdorahalf/posts/1513668908740665

Instead of driving down to Florida last weekend to run this race with friends, I was home...

I had my costume ready and everything!

I would been a really cute BibRave orange ornament!
In any case, I stalked social media and cheered for my friends remotely. They all had an amazing time!

Want to try it yourself next year?

Mount Dora has opened registration for the 2018 race, which will be held on December 16th. It's only $39.99 for the half and $22 for the 5k! Wow!
PLUS
If you ran it the last 4 years, you will earn a jacket in 2018!

Nice!
Virtual races do not count, you have to attend the race 5 years in a row to earn the jacket.

Friday, December 15, 2017

I've been thinking about my goals for 2018, something I've been doing every year since 2013...

I was watching a Christmas movie based on Little Women in December 2012 and Meg suggested to Jo that she make a board for her goals and color them in as she met those goals.
It was like a light bulb turning on in my head! Genius!

Each year starting in 2014, I chose my one word. That word would get me through the year, and was based on my goals.

Some years I managed to find shirts with my word on them, and every year I've gotten a bracelet.

I don't always meet my goals, and that's ok. Some of them are fitness related, work related, life related... All of them are attainable.

I tried to get posterboard today so that I could start my board for 2018, but neither store I went to had the right size. For now, I leave you with this...

Monday, December 11, 2017

Let's start with the doctor visit. After some x rays and some painful prodding, it was determined that there was no fracture, but I have posterior tibial tendinopathy.
Basically, the way I run (I pronate) is causing strain on the tendon that runs along the inside of my ankle. I have to ice it and rest it until the pain goes away and then I can resume running. I have some fun exercises to do that will help strengthen the area.

What does this mean for my future plans?

No Mount Dora Half Marathon this weekend...

No Goofy Challenge in January. Ironically, these arrived today...

Most likely, no Trail Gnome Run on New Years Day...

BUT

I can start training mid January for my 50k, as long as I behave myself and do my exercises.
I will be able to run Spring and Fall races.

Luckily, I went to the Doc in time. The longer I waited, the worse it could have been. I could be in a boot, or in a cast, or on crutches!

So my winter is suddenly a little less crazy, and I will be getting a lot of rest. I guess that's a good thing!

If you're running Disney, especially the marathon, look for me! I'll be outside of Animal Kingdom, right around mile 14... and outside of Hollywood Studios, cheering my loudest and making as much noise as possible.
I might weep a little weep, but I'll tr6 to keep that to myself.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Last week I tweaked my ankle.
Isn't that a great way to start off a race recap?

I don't even know when I did it exactly, but walking around after the GOTR Reindeer Romp I realized that my foot was not ok. I skipped runs all week and did yoga instead.

It still didn't feel quite right, but a huge group of people from my running club were going, the condo was paid for, so I decided to at least go for the weekend and decide about the race once I got there.

Let's be real, here. We all know I was going to run.

So, I drove down with some of my amazing running group buddies and we had a really great drive. We left early enough that there was practically zero traffic getting onto the island.

We checked in super quick, and then walked across to the expo. Benefits of staying at the golf course where the race is held!
The expo was small, so we were in and out in no time.

Our condo was gorgeous! The weather was miserable so I didn't get to see the view, but the living space was incredible!

We had a group pasta dinner that night and all met up in the morning for the race. Most were running the half but we had a handful of marathoners as well.

What a great bunch!

I love my running family!

We all lined up and soon we were off. The course wound all around the island, and the scenery was amazing. Luckily the rain had stopped, but it was very cold and damp!
By mile one I had ditched my sweatshirt but kept the gloves. My foot was low key sore but not too bad.

I was running for 2 minutes and walking for a minute, and as the miles ticked by, those 2 minutes became very painful. My goal was to keep it slow, maintain a 15 minute easy pace, and start walking at mile 10.

I made it to mile 9.
I spent the next 4 miles torturing myself over the severity of my injury and what that might mean for my goals in 2018. I won't know the answer to those questions until I see the doc!

I limped my way to the finish, collected my medal and looked for my people.

Turns out that one of my runners, who completed her first ever half marathon, placed 3rd in her age group!

The amazing man who runs the program I coach for won his age group in the marathon!

We all had some food and went back to the condos to shower and warm up before meeting for dinner.

I did eventually ice the foot, but it still hurts if i walk on it too much, and it's swollen.

Sigh.

Of course, this didn't stop me from taking advantage of the low sign up rate for next year.
I registered for the marathon.
Of course.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Tomorrow is the Kiaweh Half. We have all been stalking the weather reports all week and now it is snowing in parts of South Carolina! Ugh! It is just raining here and really cold! It looks like it will rain.... Right up until we are done.
Sigh.